Urraca Private Island

I came to Urraca on a holiday with my daughter ,son in law and adult grandchildren for 3 nights.We all loved it and agreed that even though we have all travelled extensively that this was an experience we would never have in such an idyllic location.The bungalows on stilts although rustic are very charming and the colour scheme of the whole lodge( pinks fuscia oranges and greens) gives it a fantasy world look.
The food was outstanding including lobster pasta,lobster pizza and lobster New Years feast as well as two choices for breakfast and lunch.New Years was special with mimosas in the morning.
The day trip to an island for beach and snorkelling suited our family as we could walk on the beach around the whole island then a nice lunch packed by Francine’s staff then lots more snorkelling
The second trip my family enjoyed was lobster diving which is not that easy but of the three who went on it one was able to get two.The captain and his son were muy amable.
Of course best of all was witnessing the love and care that Francine provides for the monkeys .They were fun to interact with and Bongo the little thief stole a bite of fish from my son in laws plate.My granddaughter especially loved having the tiny tamarin monkey on her shoulder and we all laughed at the antics of the howlers.
We loved the experience.If you decide to go here,forget what five star means in the city and enjoy five stars on a mangrove island.

An amazing experience! I feel so lucky that we were able to spend a couple days on this beautiful mangrove island. Francine has created a wonderful, peaceful paradise with the sweetest and most snuggly monkeys. I miss them already! The gourmet meals were also incredible! I recommend going outside before the sun rises (4:30am) take a blanket and layout on one of the decks. You'll see the most stars I've ever seen anywhere else in the world. Super romantic!
I will never forget this experience thanks Francine😍

Francine take great care of the monkeys, honestly like they are her own children, and is very informative and attentive with visitors as her conservation work is truly her life. If you are in Isla de Bastimentos, this is a must do!

I only looked this up today to recommend it to another couple. I’ve recommended this experience to most people when the topic of travel comes up over the last two years. The screen picture on my phone for the last two years has been my gf and I with miki (now I can’t remember the monkeys exact name) on my shoulder. Which is horrible of me since she was there every morning waiting to say good morning and hang out with me. Fantastic getaway, not for the very timid or all inclusive type, but great for people with a sense of adventure, those looking for something special, those who are willing to breakaway from the rest of the world for a few days. The food was excellent. The swimming was great. The privacy was great. Francine was wonderful, definitely has a big heart. Panama was a spur of the moment trip, and definitely worth every minute.

This is the Paradise !!!! We had great 10 days with our great hosts Francine and the lovely monkeys ! Every meal here is special holiday. Water is full with life and warm ! Amazing coral all around and untouched nature! We are coming back :) 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻

We stayed for our honeymoon at the Urraca Private Island Eco-Lodge in June. We took the Honeymoon Package. We were a bit insecure, as it was above our small budget, but the photos, descriptions, and reviews made it sound so good... And OMG it was!!! The landscape, the PEACE, the great service, the comfy hut, the magic bioluminescence, and the food!! If you are doubting, don't any more! Just go to the Urraca Private Island.
Francine, thank you for your attention. You found the right way between watching every detail and need and giving space. Awesome!
Alicia, your cooking is THE BEST!
Although the day you weren't... Yasmin was an excellent substitute!
Isabel, you have magic hands made for massages! Soooo gooood
And Gig, Zola, Zizu (I'm not sure I'm writing the names right) were also very good hosts! And so cute!
5* service in a kind of lost island. It may not be a 5* installation, but you won't notice.
I miss being there...

I've been to a lot of interesting places and private islands around Panama and Costa Rica and I have to say this was one of the best experiences. I came here with my husband and 2 kids (4yo and 8yo) and our friends also a family of four with same aged kids in the last week of March for 5 nights. Please note that they typically do not allow kids under 12 but we rented out the entire island so we could stay there.
From start to finish Francine was wonderful and amazingly helpful. Our group was very late getting to Bocas because our plane from Portland to Costa Rica was delayed by couple of hours which meant we didn't get to Bocas via private charter (Aero Caribe, another amazing group) until about 7:30. However, Francine's boat captain, Tamasco, was still waiting for us well into the night. The boat ride was magical in the dark with all the stars. A smallish boat going super fast and it takes about 40mins from Bocas. Once we got to the island we were greeted by Francine and her staff and dinner was waiting for us, which was great since kids were starving after 15 hrs of travel. The food there is amazing. You can see the love and care Francine and her managers Mark and Heather, have for the island and the cuisine. It beats any 5 star resort! Portions were large for us and we should have split some or skipped a meal because we probably walked away slightly heavier.

One of the main reasons I chose this island was for the monkeys. We got to hold and walk around the island a precious howler baby which was rescued from the wild. She was found abandoned and in the wild, howler mamas would have carried her around so Francine let the adults and older kids walk Yuli, the baby howler monkey, around the island several times a day. We were also visited quite often by a Tamarin, Mr.z, and were allowed to brush him. The squirrel monkeys while cute were looked at from a distance since they were trouble makers. We also got to see a kinkajou, a nocturnal animal.

While the kids loved the monkeys, the whole island was just awesome with the hammocks, the starfish, lobster cage, and of course Francine just being the most amazing hostess.

I wouldn't book any tours before I go. I'd have Francine book them all.
The whole island is on walking platforms, no ground to walk on, which gave the whole place kind of a treehouse vibe, very cool and magical.
We had our pick of 4 bungalows and a family bungalow. 1 bungalow has two twins, the other 3 have one Qdueen each. The family bungalow which is the farthest out has 2 Queens and 2 twins in one communal shared room. One thing to note the family bungalow has its own bathroom but it is downstairs which with kids in the middle of the night is not always easy but for us was fine since our kids don't go a lot in the middle of the night. The other 4 bungalows have their own private outdoor shower and 2 bathrooms right across the way.

My family and I stopped by the Monkey Island Foundation during the Christmas season and had so much fun. The monkeys ran around the mangroves and even you! It is only $20 to spend a few hours playing with monkeys. We did not know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised with the care and dedication toward the monkeys lives. The island itself is beautiful and I wish we stayed at least one night. Great experience 11/10

What an amazing place. We were beyond impressed. During our time here in Panama, this was far and away the best experience that we had. Francine is doing such a wonderful thing with these monkeys, and to have the opportunity to interact with these amazing monkeys was outstanding. Urraca Monkey Island is a must see if you are in the Bocas del Toro area.

Beautiful place to get away from busy city life, calm warm waters, playful monkeys, and a very charismatic and charming hostess and staff to cater to your needs. All buildings and walkways are suspended on wooden pylons in a mangrove forest. There's a cool breeze coming in all the time and the water is very very inviting with access all around including directly from the Bungalows that are rented rooms. I highly recommend a visit to this place if you were in the area.

My wife and I spent a weekend here for my 70th birthday, it was to say the least a most memorable birthday. The design of the resort situated within a mangrove is awesome. It became a break of total relaxation, every minute of each day was a joy and a pleasure. The monkey's were incredible, the staff fantastic and the food...exquisite in both presentation and taste. As for our hostess Francine, her love and dedication to the care and rescue of these primates, falls within the realms of Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall. We are grateful to Francine and her staff for what she does and the memories we took away with us. We recommend this break to anyone...you will not regret it.

One of the most unique island resorts in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, Urraca offers an opportunity to play with monkeys daily, a rare opportunity guaranteed to enrich your life. Crystal clear water, comfy beds, and a great hostess make this an ideal getaway!

This place's location was very intriguing and it claimed to have monkeys, so we had to go check it out.
Yes, very remote from Bocas del Toro (about 45 minutes on a speed boat), but the trip there was wonderful as we were able to see the the beautiful never ending landscape and the ocean.
Upon arrival, Francine's warm welcome made us feel right at home as soon as we stepped off the boat. We were promptly greeted by Gigi, an 11-moth old howler monkey. We were startled for a second, but it was all good because we didn't expect to see a loose monkey. She was extremely friendly and calm. Francine then showed us where she kept her other monkeys and that was very interesting. They were all kept behind these very large cages because some of them would cause major chaos if let out on this island, so she had a monkey bridge built connected to one of the cages and those monkeys can choose to be free in a separate island at any time they choose. The other 2 cages don't lead to anywhere, but are kept very clean. She only lets those out when she doesn't have guests because some of them could temperamental or would simply steal items from the guests rooms. Anyhow, after visiting this place, we understand how and why she runs the place. You should ask her about it. Quite an achievement, if you asked me.
The island itself has many locations for relaxation and the food is very good. Perfect proportions. I don't know how. I eat a lot, but whatever food served for each meal, was enough to hold me off until the next one. The price is on a higher side, say, an American metropolitan city price range. Understandable since it costs a lot to maintain the place, which has no concrete, everything is natural (she's big on energy and flow), employees, foods, etc, and all that came by boat!!!! We were there for 3 nights, so full 4 days of relaxing. We didn't even go anywhere because we were so content with everything there and just focused on relaxing.
This place is an eco lodge, so everything is as eco friendly as it comes, meaning, don't expect your usual hotel amenities. I.e. AC and high pressure shower. There is a fan by the bed. If you are a hot sleeper, get either the honeymoon suite or the family room, because those unites receive very nice sea breeze. The 4 standard bungalows don't receive that breeze because it is blocked by the mangrove, so it could get hot if you are a hot sleeper. The standard bungalows have their own shower and toilet, and the walls are made of bamboo fence. No one really can see you in details, only silhouette. And since the place is extremely quiet , some people might be self conscious with making bathroom noises. Fear not, as there are 2 large detached bathrooms that you will give you the privacy you seek.
The bungalows are just right above the water so you can go swimming at any time of the day. As a matter of fact, there are little access ladders to the water everywhere.
Francine has practically everything and if she doesn't, she might be able to help you get it by next day since she has a captain that makes daily visits to her.
Don't be afraid of the monkeys because Francine only lets out the ones that are used to interacting with the visitors and she will tell you what to do or what not to do. Just follow her instructions and all will be fine.
She rescues these monkeys, and we were lucky that we were there when she received a 2 weeks old bay howler monkey. She let us hold him and it was the best experience in my life! I must go back to visit baby Odi!!!
Anything you need, ask Francine. Don't give low rating to this place because she couldn't guess what you expected or wanted. Always ask. Francine is a very gentle and helpful person.
In summary: go to this place if you are looking to relax and actually interact with monkeys (who are all vaccinated) like you've only dreamed of. And this place is good for people over 16 who are respectful of people and nature. Not good for small kids (mostly unfenced areas).

Urraca Private Island is a very unique and beautiful place to visit and even better if you can stay for a few nights. And the Monkey Island Tour is an absolute must!

Amazing experience, an authentic experience, a totally unique place.

Mr beast went here!!!!

the mrbeast island

Great spot.

Monkey Island 🤩👍

L'un de nos plus beaux moments au Panama... peut-être le plus beau. Il y a tellement de choses à dire que je ne saurais pas par quoi commencer. Faites vous votre avis et passez le bonjour à Francine.